The key with evaluating amateurs isn't so much gathering information as it is analyzing that information in context. Once you get past the basics on Keon Barnum (big, lefty-hitting prep first baseman with plus power) there are some concerns to address.
First, there's his position. High school first basemen start their careers behind the eight ball developmentally. The success stories (Adrian Gonzalez, Eric Hosmer and Prince Fielder) are rare and all three were drafted as elite level bats plucked with premium picks (No. 1, No. 3 and No. 7 overall). Otherwise, players limited to the wrong end of the positional spectrum as teenagers haven't fared very well.
Secondly, you have his age. Barnum will be almost 19 1/2 on draft day. He's 10 months older than 2011 first-round pick Francisco Lindor. He's the same age or older than many 2011 prep draftees. To compare apples to apples, he should be compared to them, many of whom will be playing in full-season leagues in April while Barnum is still in high school. Barnum needs to dominate this spring to keep up.
To read more of Kiley McDaniel's MLB Draft blog report on Keon Barnum and Adam Walker, become an Insider today.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Keith Law
Keith Law joined ESPN.com in June 2006 as the lead baseball analyst for Scouts Inc., covering the majors, minors and amateurs. Before joining ESPN, Law spent 4½ years with the Toronto Blue Jays as a special assistant to the general manager, and was previously a writer for Baseball Prospectus. He graduated from Harvard College and holds an MBA from the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon.
Follow Keith on Twitter: @Keithlaw
Jason A. Churchill
Jason A. Churchill is the executive editor at ProspectInsider.com, covering major league baseball with an eye toward scouting and player development since 2006.
Christopher Crawford
The founder and executive editor of MLB Draft Insider. He can be followed on Twitter @crawfordchrisv
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